Stacking device for CD cases

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a stacking device for CD cases or similar arranged in a general form of equilateral triangle. In doing so, CD cases can be placed into the rack through all 3 sides of the triangular device and the support platforms or rack elements are generally supported by columns or similar spacing devices at the corners of the equilateral triangle.

[0001] For stacking CD cases or similar plate-like cassettes in theaudio or video sector it is known to arrange three rod-like rackelements perpendicularly on a base plate, a plurality of horizontallyaligned compartments arranged spaced apart one above the otherbeing-connected to said rack elements. In this case the arrangement issuch that two front rack elements are so arranged at a distance apartthat an insertion aperture is provided which is of slightly larger widththan the width of the CD case to be inserted. The rear rack element isdisposed at a distance from the is connecting plane of the two frontrack elements, which is smaller than the length of the CD cases to beinserted so that the rear rack element forms a stop member and theinserted CD case protrudes from the insertion aperture and is readilyaccessible to be gripped. In this stacking device the CD cases to bestacked can only be inserted from one side.

[0002] The invention is based on the object of devising a stackingdevice of the above-mentioned type, which makes it possible for CD casesto be inserted into the compartments from a plurality of sides.

[0003] This object is achieved by a stacking device for CD cases or thelike, with three rack elements which in relation to the basic contourare arranged in the form of an equilateral triangle, in each case at avertex, and between which there is provided a plurality of horizontalcompartments which are respectively arranged one above the other and ata distance apart, wherein the lateral spacing between two respectiverack elements which are adjacent in the direction of a base line isslightly larger than the width of a CD case to be inserted into acompartment. A tower-like stacking device of this type has the advantagethat CD cases can be inserted from any side. The access to adjacent CDcases is facilitated if the CD cases are inserted respectively intosuccessive compartments in each instance from a different side of thetriangular basic contour. However, this also offers the possibility ofcoordinated stacking, in which a specific subject range is allocated toeach insertion side.

[0004] In a development of the invention it is provided for each of therack elements to be formed in one piece. In this case the rack elementsmay be of rod-like design, for example produced from wood, or may alsobe tubular produced from plastics material.

[0005] In a development of the invention it is provided for each of thecompartments to be connected individually to the rack elements. In thisembodiment the individual compartments are produced from plasticsmaterial, for example, and are then secured to the rack elements, forexample in transverse slots in the rod-like rack elements.

[0006] In another development of the invention it is provided for aplurality of compartments to be joined together by adhesion or cohesionto form a compartment block which is connected to the rack elements.This development offers a simplification in manufacture, since thecompartment block, for example consisting of plastics material, can beinjection-moulded as one part which is then securely connected to thethree rack elements.

[0007] In another development of the invention it is provided for eachof the rack elements to be assembled from a plurality of componentparts, wherein at least one compartment is connected by adhesion orcohesion in each case to three rack elements associated with thevertices. In this embodiment individual compartments or also one or morecompartment blocks are produced by adhesion or cohesion, for example asinjection-moulded components from plastics material, which are thenassembled one above the other to form a stacking element. Thisembodiment also offers the possibility of producing, within apredetermined grid, stacking elements of different height by a simpleplug-and-socket connection.

[0008] According to the invention, the rack elements can be securelyjoined together via a base plate and/or via a top member. The base platecan be produced from a different heavy material so that the stackingdevice is imparted a certain degree of basic stability by the base plateand is protected from tipping.

[0009] In another development it is provided for the rack elements,securely joined together by a base plate and a top plate, to have ascompartments respective inwardly directed lugs which in each case extendin the direction of the base line on the adjacent rack elements.

[0010] In another development of the invention it is provided for therack elements to be of lamellar-design and they extend respectivelyalong the base lines forming an equilateral triangle, wherein thecompartments are formed by slots in the interconnected lamellar rackelements. The width of the slots in horizontal direction is slightlylarger than the width of the CD cases to be inserted, whereas the heightof the slots in vertical direction is slightly larger than the thicknessof the CD cases to be inserted.

[0011] Further features of the invention will be evident from the claimsand from the following description of examples of embodiment.

[0012] The drawings show respectively in perspective view and in planview:

[0013] FIGS. 1,2,3 an embodiment of substantially triangular basiccontour;

[0014]FIGS. 4,5 an embodiment of outwardly curved triangular basiccontour;

[0015]FIGS. 6,7 an embodiment of substantially-circular basic contour;

[0016]FIGS. 8,9 an embodiment of star-shaped basic contour;

[0017]FIGS. 10,11 an embodiment with a base plate and top plate;

[0018]FIG. 12 an embodiment with lamellar rack elements;

[0019]FIG. 13 a variant with web-like lugs as surface elements;

[0020]FIG. 14 a variant of the embodiment according to FIG. 12 for anembodiment according to FIG. 11;

[0021] FIGS. 15-17 a variant of the embodiment according to FIG. 8;

[0022] FIGS. 18-20 a variant of the embodiment according to FIG. 4.

[0023] The example of embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 for a column-likeor tower-like stacking device for CD cases essentially comprises threerack elements 1,2 and 3 which, as is evident from FIG. 2,—in relation toa basic contour 4 in the form of an equilateral triangle—are arrangedrespectively at the vertices of the triangle. Between the three rackelements 1,2 and 3 there is provided a plurality of horizontalcompartments 5 which in each case are arranged parallel one above theother and at a distance apart. The lateral distance between two rackelements 1,2 and 2,3 and 3, 1 respectively which are adjacent in thedirection of a base line is, as is evident from FIG. 2, slightly largerthan the width B of a CD case 6 to be inserted into a compartment. Ineach case two rack elements adjacent one another on a base line, forexample the rack elements 1 and 2, define an insertion aperture, whereasthe rack element 3 then serves as a limiting stop member for the CD case6. It is thereby possible to insert a CD case from each side into eachcompartment. This is shown in plan view in FIG. 3 for illustrativepurposes. The individual CD cases 6.1,6.2,6.3 can [sic] be inserted fromeach side of a base line 4.1 into a compartment of the stacking device.

[0024] As already mentioned, the rack elements 1,2 and 3 can be made inone piece, for example from wood, and can be securely connected to oneanother via a base member 7, which is of frame-like design in FIG. 1,but can also be in the form of a plate, as shown in FIG. 10, and alsovia a corresponding top member B. The individual lamellar compartmentsare then secured, for example, in slots in the rack elements 1,2 and 3.

[0025] In a similar manner it is also possible for the rack elements tobe produced individually in tubular form from a plastics material withcorresponding insertion slots, and in a similar manner for thecompartments to be of lamellar design with corresponding projections inthe corner zones, which can be inserted into the insertion slots of therack element. The three rack elements 1,2 and 3 are then rigidly joinedtogether via a pushed-on base member 7 and a pushed-on base [sic] member8.

[0026] The compartments can in this case take the form of continuousplates or else, as shown in FIG. 2, they can be of frame-like designwith a web 9 defining the peripheral contour, which encloses a freespace 10.

[0027]FIG. 3 shows in plan view the possibility of insertion for CDcases 6 which are then inserted one above the other in each case from adifferent side, as indicated by the arrows I, II and II.

[0028]FIGS. 4,5 illustrate an embodiment which corresponds in itsconstruction to the embodiment according to FIGS. 1,2 but which visuallyis of substantially triangular configuration with outwardly bulgingcontour. As indicated by the dividing line D in the rack elements, thedevice can be assembled from a plurality of component parts.

[0029] The embodiment according to FIGS. 6, 7 corresponds in itsconstruction to the embodiment according to FIGS. 1,2. The differencemerely lies in the fact that the stacking device is generally of rathercylindrical appearance over the peripheral contour of the compartments5.

[0030] The embodiment according to FIGS. 8,9 again corresponds in itsbasic construction to the embodiment according to FIGS. 1,2. However, inthis embodiment the compartments are formed by star-shaped flat webs 5.1so that the stacking device is generally of star-shaped appearance.

[0031]FIGS. 10 and 11 show an embodiment in which the base member 7.1 isin the form of a plate and the top member 8.1 is also plate-like andloins together the rack elements 1.1, 2.1 and 3.1. The special advantageof this embodiment lies in the fact that at least the base member 7.1can be produced from a material of relatively high inherent weight,thereby imparting relatively high stability to the stacking device. As avariant each of the described embodiments can be provided in each casewith a correspondingly formed plate-like base member 7.1 and/or a topmember 8.1.

[0032]FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment in which the rack elements1.2,2.2 and 3.2 are each of lamellar design and are joined together inthe vicinity of their lateral edges 11 so that the surface regionsextend approximately along the base line 4. The individual rack elementsare provided with slots 12 which are delimited by webs 12.1 and whichform the compartments. In this embodiment too a CD case can be insertedfrom each side. The lamellar rack elements 1.1, 2.1 and 3.1 do not, asshown here, have to be flat but can be inwardly or outwardly curved inrelation to the vertical centre axis 13. In this case the lateral edges11 can extend at a distance apart and be securely connected to oneanother via transverse webs.

[0033]FIG. 13 illustrates a variant of the embodiment according to FIG.8. In this embodiment the rack elements 1.3,2.3,3.3 are each securelyjoined together with a base member 7 and a top member 8. Thecompartments are in this case not formed by planar or frame-like partswhich extend respectively up to the adjacent rack element. In thisembodiment, as is evident from the view in FIG. 13, the compartments areeach formed by web-like lugs 14 on the individual racks, which eachpoint towards the centre axis 13. Each rack element is thus of comb-likestructure.

[0034] The embodiment according to FIG. 12 can also be similar design.The individual webs defining the slots 12 do not extend over the fullwidth of a rack element but only as lugs 12.2, as is illustrated in FIG.14, in each case at a short distance from the lateral edge 11 so thatthe lamellar rack element has a central opening 15 which has a comb-likeboundary line 16 in each case parallel to its two side edges 11.

[0035] Stacking devices of this type can be provided in each case in thevicinity of the base member and/or in the vicinity of the top memberwith recesses and/or projections 50 that a plurality of such stackingdevices can be arranged tower-like one above the other by means of aplug-and-socket connection.

[0036]FIG. 15 illustrates a perspective view of a variant of theembodiment according to FIG. 8. In this embodiment, as is furtherevident from the plan view of the top member 8 in FIG. 16 and of thebase member 7 in FIG. 17, respective boundary plates 8.2 and 7.2 areprovided which are securely connected to vertically aligned webs 8.3 and7.3 respectively which are arranged radially. The boundary plate 8.2with the webs 8.3 and correspondingly the boundary plate. 7.2 with thewebs 7.3 respectively form the base member 7 and the top member 8. Thewebs 7.3. and 8.3 extend at the ends into connector elements 7.4 and 8.4respectively which are aligned perpendicularly to the plane of theboundary plate 8.2. and which are correspondingly fitted into the endsof the hollow rack elements 1,2 and 3.

[0037] In this embodiment the frame-like compartments 5 are ofapproximately triangular ground plan contour in which, however, theperipheral contour extends inwardly curved between the rack elements 1,2and 3. As is illustrated in FIG. 15, the compartments 5 are frame-likewith a free space 10. However, it is also possible for the compartmentsto be of correspondingly lamellar form. The peripheral contour of theboundary plate 8.2 is in this case identical to the peripheral contourof the compartments 5.

[0038] FIGS. 18 to 20 illustrate a variant of the embodiment accordingto FIG. 4, namely in a perspective view (FIG. 18), in a top view of thetop member 8 (FIG. 19) and in a view of the base member 7 from below(FIG. 20). In this embodiment the top member 8 is in the form of aplate. In this embodiment the base member 7 is of frame-like design,wherein the frame is substantially U-shaped in cross-section.

1. A stacking device for CD cases or the like, with three rack elements(1,2,3) which in relation to a basic contour (4) are arranged in theform of an equilateral triangle, in each case at a vertex, and betweenwhich there is provided a plurality of horizontal compartments (5) whichare respectively arranged one above the other and at a distance apart,wherein the lateral spacing between respective rack elements (1,2,3)which are adjacent in the direction of a base line (4.1) is slightlylarger than the width (B) of a CD case (6) to be inserted into acompartment.
 2. A stacking device according to claim 1, characterised inthat the rack elements (1,2,3) are each formed in one piece.
 3. Astacking device according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterised inthat the compartments (5) are each connected individually to the rackelements (1,2,3).
 4. A stacking device according to claim 1 or 2,characterised in that a plurality of compartments (5) are joined,together by adhesion or cohesion to form a compartment block which isconnected to the rack elements (1,2,3).
 5. A stacking device accordingto any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the rack elements(1,2,3) are each assembled from a plurality of component parts, whereinat least one compartment (5) is connected by adhesion or cohesion ineach case to three component parts of the rack elements associated withthe vertices.
 6. A stacking device according to any one of claims 1 to5, characterised in that the rack elements (1,2,3) are joined togethervia a base plate (7).
 7. A stacking device according to any one ofclaims 1 to 6, characterised in that the rack elements (1,2,3) arejoined together via a top element (8).
 8. A stacking device according toany one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the rack elements areeach of lamellar design.
 9. A stacking device according to any one ofclaims 1 to 8, characterised in that the compartments (5) each have afree space (10) in the central region.
 10. A stacking device accordingto any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that at least in thevicinity of the rack elements (1,2 and 3) the compartments (5) are ineach case formed by flat webs (5.1) which are joined together in thecentral region.
 11. A stacking device according to any one of claims 1to 10, characterised in that the rack elements (1.3,2.3,3.3) aresecurely joined together by a base member (7) and a top member (8), andin that compartments are each formed by lugs (14) on the rack elements(1.3,2.3,3.3) which each extend in the direction of the central region(13).
 12. A stacking device according to claim 11, characterised in thatthe lugs (14) are of planar form.
 13. A stacking device according to anyone of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the rack elements(1.2,2.2.3.2) are lamellar and in each case extend along the basiccontour (4) forming an equilateral triangle, wherein the compartmentsare formed by slots (12) in the interconnected lamellar rack elements.